Case Digest (G.R. No. 134679)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Bernaldo Docdoc y Auditor, G.R. No. 134679, August 08, 2000, the Supreme Court First Division, Puno, J., writing for the Court. The accused-appellant is Bernaldo Docdoc y Auditor; the plaintiff-appellee is the People of the Philippines.On December 5, 1997, nineteen‑year‑old househelp Marilou “Malou” Albit alleged that Docdoc raped her in a ground‑floor room of the house where she worked for her sister and brother‑in‑law, Ricardo “Ricky” Rosatasi. According to Malou’s testimony, Docdoc followed her into an adjoining room, turned off the light, held her hands behind her back, covered her mouth, kissed and caressed her extensively, then forcibly spread her legs and consummated sexual intercourse for some twenty minutes while keeping her mouth covered. Ricky later found Malou on the sofa with her pajama pants down; Docdoc was apprehended and arrested after the police arrived. The NBI medico‑legal officer, Dr. Valentin Bernales, found two superficial lacerations on Malou’s hymen.
Docdoc admitted intercourse but maintained it was consensual. He described earlier courtship, a promise to marry, a partial insertion with ejaculation outside her, and no use of force or threats. His sister Jessica testified to his movements earlier that evening. After the charge was filed, attempts at a monetary settlement occurred: Jessica and relatives negotiated with Malou’s family, who allegedly demanded P400,000 then reduced it to P200,000; negotiations failed.
The Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch XVIII, convicted Docdoc of rape and sentenced him to ...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
- Whether the testimony of the offended party alone was sufficient to sustain conviction under the circumstances of this case.
- Whether the physical and medico‑legal evidence and the accused’s account sufficiently r...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
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Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)